Westford - Livona Jenks Allen, 70, passed away peacefully Monday, July 6, 2009 at the Vermont Respite House in Williston, with a sunny, blue sky outside her window and her adoring family at her side. Livona, born on April 3, 1939 was the daughter of Freeman and Miriam (Green) Jenks, and stepmother, Ethel Jenks. She grew up in Cavendish and graduated from Chester High School. In 1960 she realized her dream to be a nurse, graduating from Mary Fletcher School of Nursing, working at Mary Fletcher and the Bishop DeGosbriand Hospital and the Fanny Allen Hospital. On September 29, 1962 she married the love of her life, Ira Allen, in Cavendish, eventually settling in Westford. Livona took a break from nursing to raise three lovely children, then returned to her beloved profession to work with Dr. John Heisse, then Dr. Gary Landrigan, and finally at various offices at Fletcher Allen. Nursing was Livona's passion and true calling. In 1999, "Vona," the nurse, became Vona, the patient with a diagnosis of breast cancer. Breast Cancer led her to a small circle of women who called themselves the “Mad Hatters”. These women, facing similar health challenges, became a support group and long-time friends--people with whom Livona shared much love, laughter, rich and joyful moments. Around this time, Livona also joined the local Dragonboating effort, another group which became a source of great joy for her and helped support and sustain Livona till her very last days. With them she practiced and raced in venues all around New England, Florida, Australia and Canada. Her family is deeply and profoundly grateful for the love, loyalty, connection and inspiration these groups have offered and shared. In addition to Ira, Livona is survived by her three children, Kimberly Guidry and her husband John, of Shelburne, and their children Marissa and Mia; Keith Allen, of Westford, and his children, Bryanna and Eric; and Katrina Dages and her husband, Mark, of New Milford, CT, and their children, Benjamin and Olivia. Livona is also survived by Ira's sisters, Phyllis Gaiotti, of Whiting, VT and Nola Greisen, of Rhodendron, and by several nieces, nephews and cousins as well as countless neighbors and friends who have offered wonderful love and support. Livona's bright smile, her winks, thumbs-up signs, and cheery disposition will be dearly missed. A celebration of Livona's life will be held on July 23rd at 3:00 pm at the United Church of Westford at which time the family invites others to share stories and memories of this beautiful woman. Memorial contributions in Livona's name may be made to Dragonheart Vermont, PO Box 65301, Burlington, VT 05406 and/or to the Vermont Respite House at VNA, 1110 Prim Road, Colchester, VT 05446. There will be a private burial in the Westford Pleasant View Cemetery at a later date. Online condolences may be made to
www.minorfh.com.
